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Devotionals by Dr. James Dobson

parenting devotional banner Dr. Dobson

He Owns It All

“Everything under heaven belongs to me.”
Job 41:11

When I (JCD) was a four-year-old boy, my grandmother gave me a one-dollar bill. I thought I was fabulously rich. Two days later, my mother asked me if I was going to give God His “tithe” on the money. That was a new idea for me. I dutifully placed a dime in the offering plate that Sunday and learned a valuable lesson. It was the beginning of a lifelong policy of giving God a portion of every dollar I’ve ever earned.

Do you do the same? Have you taught your children about tithing? Do they see you give regularly? It’s not that we owe 10 percent of our income to God, and the other 90 percent belongs to us. He owns the 90 percent, too, and what we do with those resources is a spiritual decision. The book of Malachi (3:8–9) tells us that a person who doesn’t tithe is actually robbing God!

Tithing can be likened to exercise that stretches and strengthens our generosity. It doesn’t represent the limit to our giving, but rather, a starting point that helps us grow. Paul said, “See that you also excel in this grace of giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7). Let’s steward God’s resources in ways that are wise and pleasing to Him.

Before you say good night…

  • Do your children truly understand that God owns everything?
  • Are you tithing? Could you give more? How about your kids?
  • How can you best teach them to give back to the Lord?

Forgive us, Jesus, for living at times as if our money is our own and not a gift from You. We need to grow in these things, just as in every other area of our lives. Thank You for Your patience with us and for daily walking at our side. Amen.

Listen to today's broadcast of Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk at OnePlace.com.  For more from Dr. Dobson, visit the resource center at drjamesdobson.org.

This devotional is taken from Night Light for Parents. Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

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About Family Talk Videos

Family Talk is a Christian non-profit organization located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded in 2010 by Dr. James Dobson, the ministry promotes and teaches biblical principles that support marriage, family, and child-development. Since its inception, Family Talk has served millions of families with broadcasts, monthly newsletters, feature articles, videos, blogs, books and other resources available on demand via its website, mobile apps, and social media platforms.


The Dr. James Dobson Family Institute (JDFI) is a Christian non-profit ministry located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded initially as Family Talk in 2010 by Dr. James Dobson, the organization promotes and teaches biblical principles that support marriage, family, and child development. Since its inception, Family Talk has served families with broadcasts, monthly newsletters, feature articles, videos, blogs, books, and other resources available on demand via their website, mobile apps, and social media platforms. In 2017, the ministry rebranded under JDFI to expand its four core ministry divisions consisting of the Family Talk radio broadcast, the Dobson Policy and Education Centers, and the Dobson Digital Library.


Dr. Dobson's flagship broadcast called, “Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk," is aired on more than 1,500 terrestrial radio outlets and numerous digital channels that reach millions each month.

About Dr. James Dobson

Dr. James Dobson is the Founder Chairman of the James Dobson Family Institute, a nonprofit organization that produces his radio program, “Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk.” He has an earned Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and holds 18 honorary doctoral degrees. He is the author of more than 70 books dedicated to the preservation of the family including, The New Dare to Discipline, Love for a Lifetime, Life on the Edge, Love Must Be Tough, The New Strong-Willed Child, When God Doesn't Make Sense, Bringing Up Boys, Bringing Up Girls, and, most recently, Your Legacy: The Greatest Gift. Dr. Dobson served as an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Southern California School of Medicine for 14 years and on the attending staff of Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for 17 years in the divisions of Child Development and Medical Genetics. He has advised five U.S. presidents and served on eight national commissions. Dr. Dobson has been married to Shirley for 64 years, and they have two grown children, Danae and Ryan, and two grandchildren.

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